Government Shutdown Results In Over 1,660 Flight Delays Nationwide On Monday: Report

• According to a Reuters report, on Sunday, over 8,600 flights were delayed due to increased air traffic controller absences caused by the shutdown.
• The report said that across the Southeast and at Newark Airport in New Jersey, staffing shortages have been affecting flights.
• Delta Air Lines saw 21%of its flights delayed on Sunday while Southwest Airlines saw 47%of its flights delayed, according to FlightAware data.The federal government shutdown, which has entered its 27th day, reportedly delayed more than 1,660 flights across the United States on Monday.

According to a Reuters report, on Sunday, over 8,600 flights were delayed due to increased air traffic controller absences caused by the shutdown.

Across the Southeast and at Newark Airport in New Jersey, staffing shortages have been affecting flights, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposing a ground delay at Los Angeles International that added an average of 25 minutes to flights, the report added, citing the FAA.

Staff To Miss First Paycheck

The report stated that about 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers are expected to work without pay, and on Tuesday, are anticipated to miss their first full paycheck.

According to an AP report, a few absences can cause disruptions because many of the Federal Aviation Administration facilities are already so short staffed. Moreover, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that more air traffic controllers have been calling in sick since the shutdown began. 

Various Airlines See An Increase In Delay

According to FlightAware, Delta Air Lines (DAL) saw 21%, or 723, of its flights delayed on Sunday, while Southwest Airlines (LUV) saw 47%, or 2,090, of its flights delayed. 

As per the flight status tracking firm, United Airlines (UAL) had delayed about 26%, or 806, of its flights, American Airlines (AAL) saw 36% of its flights delayed, which came to 1,276, and Alaska Airlines witnessed 20% or 154 delays, on Sunday as the shutdown continued.

Since the beginning of October, U.S. government services have been temporarily suspended after the Republicans and Democrats failed to reach an agreement on extending funding for government services beyond October 1, the date the federal budget lapsed.

The report said that a U.S. Department of Transportation official noted that 44% of Sunday’s delays were due to controller absences, which was up from the usual 5%.

Shares of Delta and United Airlines were down 1% in midday trade on Monday, while Southwest Airlines' stock was up 1%. Retail sentiment around Delta and United Airlines remained unchanged in the ‘bearish’ territory over the past day, according to data from Stocktwits. On the other hand, Southwest Airlines’ retail sentiment remained in ‘extremely bullish’ territory.

For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Also See: GME Stock Draws Significant Investor Interest: What’s The White House Angle?

Share

·

Add us on